St. Louis Lyft Accident Attorney

St. Louis is full of places that you want to go, from downtown to STL and Busch Stadium to various entertainment destinations. Whether you want to skip the hassle of parking or have a sober ride home, using Lyft or another rideshare makes your plans more convenient. Unfortunately, that convenience comes with a risk when passengers suffer injuries in a rideshare accident.

The Bruning Law Firm's St. Louis Lyft accident lawyers have over 35 years experience to help passengers, drivers, and others injured in rideshare accidents navigate complex insurance claims and recover maximum compensation. Rideshare claims are far more complex due to the involvement of multiple liable parties and tiered insurance, making collecting on insurance claims a bigger challenge.

Our St. Louis attorneys have rideshare accident expertise to master insurance negotiation and get you a fair settlement. As members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The Bruning Law Firm is committed to providing the legal representation you need for compensation. Contact our car accident attorneys to schedule a free consultation.

Why Lyft Accidents Are Different

Unfortunately, passengers injured in Lyft accidents face an uphill battle when seeking compensation. Unlike other car accidents, rideshare accidents tend to involve multiple potentially liable parties including the Lyft driver and the company Lyft itself. Other drivers and possibly vehicle manufacturers may also be liable for negligence in a Lyft accident.

Insurance policies are another challenge when they involve a Transportation Network Company (TNC). The Lyft driver's personal auto policy, Lyft's commercial insurance policy, and the other driver's car insurance create many additional layers of complexity. It all depends on the driver's status at the time of the crash as they are independent contractors rather than full-time employees, which impacts liability.

Above all, the greatest challenge is that Lyft is a large company, equipped with its own legal teams that minimize payouts. The St. Louis Lyft accident lawyers at The Bruning Law Firm understand these complexities in rideshare claims and are committed to seeking your full and fair compensation from all liable parties for your injuries.

Understanding Lyft's Insurance Coverage

Lyft's tiered coverage is important to understand as it directly impacts injury claims for rideshare passengers. There are three tiers of coverage, each one affecting accident victims in different ways.

App Off

When the app is off and the Lyft driver isn't servicing passengers, other motorists hit by Lyft drivers, pedestrians, or bicyclists are at the mercy of the driver's personal auto policy. Lyft provides no coverage when the app is off.

App On, Waiting for Ride

When a Lyft driver has the app on and is waiting for passengers when the rideshare accident occurs, it provides contingent third-party liability coverage. This coverage includes $50,000 for bodily injury liability per person, $100,000 bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.

However, Lyft's commercial insurance only kicks in if a driver's personal policy doesn't cover it or denies the claim. This contingency has led to many disputes over liability and who owes compensation to victims.

Passenger in Car/En Route to Pickup

When Lyft passengers are in the car or the Lyft driver is on the way to pick them up, Lyft's insurance policy of $1 million liability coverage applies. The policy also includes uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage in the event a driver in another vehicle lacks sufficient insurance to pay damages.

Since Lyft often disputes claims, even those that should be its responsibility to cover, it can be a massive challenge for rideshare users. The Bruning Law Firm has over 35 years experience that includes Lyft and Uber accident representation to help St. Louis accident victims recover all compensation owed by multiple liable parties.

Who We Help After St. Louis Lyft Accidents

Our St. Louis attorneys are committed to providing Lyft accident representation to all victims throughout Missouri and Illinois to hold all liable parties accountable for providing maximum compensation. We help:

• Lyft passengers injured in an accident
• Lyft drivers injured while working
• Other motorists hit by a Lyft vehicle
• Pedestrians and bicyclists struck by a Lyft driver
• Families who lost a loved one

From the Lyft driver to Lyft and other involved parties, don't let them offer a low settlement for your personal injury damages. You deserve full compensation today. Contact our Lyft accident attorneys to schedule a free consultation.

Contact The Bruning Law Firm for Help After Your St. Louis Lyft Accident

At The Bruning Law Firm, we focus on our clients as we help them deal with the often complex aftermath of their accidents. We have more than 35 years of experience representing clients in various insurance claims, including auto accident claims. While we cannot guarantee the results of any Lyft accident claim, we can provide you with the comprehensive support you may need to effectively navigate that claim and seek the full compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Compassionate Support

Following serious injuries in a Lyft accident, you need compassionate legal support that will help guide you through the claim process and let you know that you have someone on your side.

At The Bruning Law Firm, we understand how difficult it is to deal with the aftermath of a Lyft accident, especially if the insurance company does not offer you the support you need to help handle your injuries and deal with the complex aftermath.

We focus on providing outstanding legal services and support to all our clients, leading to a solid reputation for excellence within the St. Louis community. Our efforts have received recognition in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the country have featured us.

Convenient Access to Legal Services

At The Bruning Law Firm, we believe in making legal services accessible to the clients that need them most. Often, Lyft accident victims do not have the funds they need to pay for legal services upfront.

We start by offering a free consultation that helps our clients get a better feel for what they may deserve and how they can best handle the complicated claim process ahead of them. Then, we accept most personal injury clients on a contingent fee: you will pay for legal services out of a percentage of your settlement or award, rather than having to pay upfront for those essential services.

We also make getting legal help as convenient as possible. If you can't come into our conveniently located St. Louis office in person, you can contact us for a virtual consultation.

Are you ready to work toward a resolution that fits your needs after your St. Louis Lyft accident? Contact The Bruning Law Firm now to learn more about how we can help make the claim process easier.

Common Causes of St. Louis Lyft Accidents

Why do Lyft accidents happen in St. Louis? There are additional rideshare-specific risks that make them different from other types of car accidents.

App Distraction

Distracted driving is one of the top causes of any car accident, though rideshare accidents are commonly caused by being distracted by the app. Lyft drivers who constantly check the app for ride requests, pull up navigation, or passenger information while they're moving along the road are the biggest dangers.

Unfamiliar Routes

Some Lyft drivers may not be fully familiar with downtown St. Louis, Clayton, STL airport, MetroLink stations, or other popular areas in the entertainment district. When areas are unfamiliar, they may rely heavily on GPS for navigation, a distraction that can result in a crash.

Pickup/Drop-Off Hazards

When rideshare drivers stop in traffic lanes as a drop-off point, pull into an unsafe spot, or become distracted looking for their passengers at the pickup location, it creates a dangerous situation. Often, these pickup and drop-off hazards are the cause of accidents for Lyft drivers.

Driver Fatigue

Some people drive for Lyft to supplement their income or take on long shifts to maximize their earnings. Driving late at night when they've been working all day leads to fatigue, and driving while fatigued is negligent.

Pressure to Rush

Naturally, the more rides a rideshare driver completes, the more chance they'll have to make money. Getting Lyft passengers to their destinations on time may also create added urgency to make them happy and score higher ratings. Rushing through traffic creates a safety risk and puts the driver, passengers, and everyone else on the road at risk.

Understanding Lyft driver behavior helps to trace negligence and liability to hold those responsible accountable. Our St. Louis Lyft accident lawyers are here to help accident victims get the justice and compensation they deserve from all liable parties.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

You suffered injuries in a St. Louis Lyft accident. Now what? You may have many questions about your right to compensation and how much you should expect for your injuries.

Lyft accidents do not have a one size fits all resolution. Instead, you may find your claim impacted by several factors, from which driver caused the Lyft accident to the severity of your injuries.

At The Bruning Law Firm, we help passengers, drivers, and others injured in rideshare accidents maximize the compensation they can recover for their injuries so they can take care of their medical bills and rebuild their lives. Take a look at these key compensation areas in Lyft accident claims.

Medical Expenses

Many people suffer from sticker shock after a St. Louis Lyft accident. Medical bills often cost far more than you initially anticipated, from the initial cost of emergency treatment for your injuries to the long-term cost of care for injuries that may cause permanent limitations and implications in your life. Keep track of your medical costs starting immediately after your accident.

At The Bruning Law Firm, we aim to help our clients calculate the full extent of their medical bills including ER visits, hospital stays, surgeries, rehab, physical therapy, and future medical care. Our St. Louis rideshare attorneys then use those calculations to display the compensation they need after an accident.

Lost Wages

Serious injuries from a St. Louis Lyft accident can cause you to lose considerable time at work. Unfortunately, many people do not have a system for recovering the lost wages they may suffer after that type of incident, including adequate sick time. Others may use vacation time to cover some of that lost time at work, often leaving them without that essential time off for other purposes.

If you had to take time off work because of your injuries, causing losses to your income, your injuries have caused you to take a step down resulting in reduced earning capacity, or if you lost your job completely and have lost your source of income as a result of your injuries, we want to help you pursue compensation for those losses.

At The Bruning Law Firm, we have the tools necessary to help you calculate the wage loss you may have faced because of your accident and pursue the compensation you may deserve for those losses.

Pain and Suffering

In many cases, the physical pain and emotional distress you go through after your accident can exceed the financial strain your accident placed on you. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common for passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other victims involved in a Lyft accident.

Property Damage

For accident victims driving in their own vehicles when hit by a Lyft driver, damaged vehicles are another source of stress and worry. The vehicle may need extensive repairs or be completely totaled, requiring a replacement. Personal belongings inside your vehicle also matter, and The Bruning Law Firm can hold these multiple liable parties accountable for your compensation.

Wrongful Death

When a Lyft accident claims the life of someone you love, you'll not only suffer grief but also be saddled with added financial impacts. You may think about the funeral costs, medical bills for trying to save your loved one's life, loss of financial support, and loss of consortium. Our St. Louis Lyft accident attorneys can provide the help you need through wrongful death claims that compensate you for these costs.

At The Bruning Law Firm, we want to recover compensation for all your losses: not just the losses that have a direct financial correlation, but those that may cause even more distress as you recover from your injuries and figure out what your life may look like during and after your recovery.

St. Louis Lyft Accidents: The Dangers

Lyft rides may present several potential dangers that may raise your risk of a serious accident as you move through the St. Louis area.

Dangerous Intersections

St. Louis has many dangerous intersections. Unfortunately, your Lyft driver may not know how to successfully navigate them, including the exits and intersections around Interstate 64, Union Boulevard, and Grand Boulevard. In dangerous intersections, drivers may have a much harder time seeing or avoiding collisions due to heavy traffic.

Excessive Traffic Violence

In recent years, drivers in St. Louis have struggled with heavy traffic dangers, including increased violence on the road. St. Louis drivers may struggle with road rage or have difficulty avoiding collisions with speeding or aggressive drivers. Unfortunately, Lyft drivers may draw more frustration from other drivers, especially if they do not have a solid grasp on the area where they need to drive to get you to your destination.

High Risk of Distraction

Lyft drivers may face a higher risk of distractions than the average driver. Often, Lyft drivers grow distracted by using a GPS to navigate or by notifications from the Lyft app. Not only that, sometimes, Lyft drivers may face a higher risk of distraction from passengers, especially if passengers continue to try to engage the driver or provide directions counter to the app.

St. Louis Lyft Accidents: The Basics

Lyft accidents, like other auto accidents, may occur because of:

• High speeds. Lyft drivers may, in some cases, prove more likely to speed than other drivers since they may stand to make more money if they can complete more trips throughout the shift.
• Distraction. Lyft drivers may have a hard time avoiding distractions inside the vehicle.
• Driver drowsiness. Often, Lyft drivers will push themselves to stay on the road longer than they can safely, especially during peak hours. Lyft does have policies that govern the time drivers can spend on the road, but that policy may not offer adequate protection against overall drowsiness.
• Poor road conditions. Damaged roads through the St. Louis area, especially on Interstate 64, can increase the danger. Drivers may also have a harder time navigating in construction zones.
• Aggressive driving. St. Louis drivers have a habit of driving aggressively. Some drivers may have a hard time dealing with those challenges.

A Lyft accident in St. Louis can lead to severe injuries, many of which can have lifelong consequences for the injured party. Injuries may include:

• Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Multiple broken bones
• Soft tissue injuries
• Severe lacerations
• Burns

At The Bruning Law Firm, we understand the many challenges that often accompany severe Lyft accidents. We aim to help our clients maximize the compensation they can recover for those severe injuries, including offering compassionate support and access to resources that may help with your recovery.

Fighting the Insurance Company After a St. Louis Lyft Accident

Lyft offers its drivers considerable insurance policies that help cover the cost of damages associated with an accident caused by that driver's negligence. When a Lyft driver causes your accident, you may seek compensation. However, a Lyft accident claim can take longer than anticipated, and you may need to fight the insurance company for the full compensation you deserve.

At The Bruning Law Group, we can help you fight the insurance company and pursue the compensation you deserve.

What to Do After a St. Louis Lyft Accident

After your Lyft accident, you should make sure to take the right steps to protect your health, safety, and legal rights, including:

• Get to safety and call 911 as a police report is critical evidence.
• Seek medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor. Medical records can substantiate your injury claim.
• Document everything through photos, witnesses, and notes.
• Screenshot the rideshare app to capture driver name, photo, license plate, and trip details before closing it.
• Report to Lyft using the app's safety feature, however, don't give a recorded statement without a lawyer.
• Contact a Lyft accident attorney before speaking with any insurance company and to help you with managing claims or filing a rideshare lawsuit.
• Keep track of all medical expenses.
• Follow the instructions issued by your care providers to maximize your odds of making a full recovery.

Why Choose The Bruning Law Firm

The Bruning Law Firm's St. Louis Lyft accident lawyers help passengers, drivers, and others injured in rideshare accidents navigate the legal process to get the compensation they deserve. Here's why you should choose our attorneys:

• 35+ years experience in handling complex personal injury claims, including rideshare accidents.
• Rideshare experience with a deep understanding of Lyft's insurance structure and tactics for reducing settlements.
• Million Dollar Advocates Forum members, meaning we are recognized for providing results for our clients.
• Local St. Louis knowledge of the courts, judges, and local procedures to give you an edge in case strategy.
• Hospital visits available, where we come to you if you can't come to us.
• Free consultation and contingency fee based model means there are no upfront costs to you – you'll only pay if we win your settlement or verdict.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Our St. Louis Lyft Accident Lawyers Today

A St. Louis Lyft accident can prove devastating. Dealing with the insurance company alone could leave you incredibly frustrated, especially if you have severe injuries and, as a result, need to ask for substantial compensation for those injuries.

At The Bruning Law Firm, our St. Louis Lyft accident attorneys provide experienced legal representation to injured victims involved in rideshare crashes with the goal of securing maximum compensation for their financial losses. You don't have to pay anything with our free consultation, and we work on a contingency fee basis to represent you without any money upfront. We'll even come to you while you're recovering in the hospital. Contact us today at (314) 735-8100 or visit our office at 555 Washington Ave Ste 600A, St. Louis, MO 63101 for your consultation and learn more about your rights after a St. Louis Lyft accident.

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